After a weekend of explosive weather, the Vikings came home with the 3V posting the fastest time for the day at the Portland LOOP and the V4+ getting second, the 2V4+ placing first (finishing in front of SU and U of O boats from the race prior) and the 2v8 getting second at the Portland Fall Classic. The team is looking ahead now to continued racing at UW next weekend for the Head of the Lake. The V8 will take to the water for it’s first race this year, as will a novice 8 and two 4+s. Race schedule for this weekend is posted in the schedule section with links to the race lineups included.

The V4 made history by being the first WWU boat to compete in the HOCR in Boston Oct 18-19. The boat consisting of, from bow Brayden Jacobson, Severn Anderson, Carl Smith, Henry Brown, and coxswain Marielle Face, put up a competitive time of 17.19.71 and placed 15th of the 44 boats in the division. This placing is exciting as HOCR is the largest head race in the nation, and it guarantees a spot in next years regatta making a return trip next year possible.

Through wind and spotty rain, the Viking’s 3V put up the fastest time on the course at the Portland LOOP today. Tomorrow the 8s will be racing again and the 4+s will get out on the water, both facing off against a mix of area competitors and conference boats. Results will be posted on the schedule section.

This Saturday and Sunday the Vikings are heading down to the Portland LOOP and Portland Fall Classic. It will be the first time the squad squares off against regional rivals University of Oregon and Lewis and Clark, as well as the PAC 12 rowing power Oregon State. Race schedules are listed under the Schedule tab and day-of results will be posted.

With the V4+ heading to Boston to race at the Head of the Charles and the entire returning squad looking ahead to the Portland LOOP and Portland Fall Classic the following weekend, the fall season truly is in full swing. Pictured here are members of the V4+ and 2V4+ pushing off each other on a morning on Lake Whatcom.

Coxswain Marielle Face (’16) driving her crew to push back an advance made by a competing 4+. From bow, Nick Jensen (’18) and Severn Anderson (’17)

Western Reads, in conjunction with a series of projects centered around their freshman book this year “The Boys in the Boat”, will be hosting a panel on rowing, it’s significance to participants, and the effect it has had on their lives outside the team. The panel will be hosted in AW 204 on Thursday, October 9th, at 4 pm, and will have speakers from both the men’s and women’s team.

The Vikings look on towards the start of a promising Fall season. With three full 8s of returning and experienced rowers, the Men’s crew has been pulling their way towards readiness for the American Lake Fall Classic on October 12th. Finalization of the Head of the Charles 4+ has allowed for more intense focus and competition between the V4+, JV4+ and the 2V8 and 3V8 during practice this week as the team looks to put meters under the boats to get into racing form.

The novice squad is now at a steady ~30 rowers who have shown that they have the mental constitution and physical ability to take on the rigors of the sport. This Saturday will mark the first full on-the-water practice for most, a capstone to a week of technique work and increasingly difficult dry land workouts.

It is not too late to get involved! Anyone interested in coming out should plan to meet for the duration of this week (9.29 – 10.3) at the South entrance of Carver Gym. The entry faces the SMATE building and is at the end of the primary hall through Carver. New rowers should introduce themselves to the coaches and club leadership at the practice to ensure that they are added to the mailing list and the clubs Orgsync page. For additional questions about meeting times or if you would like to chat with someone prior to coming out, email Carl Smith at smithc72@students.wwu.edu.

Thursday the 25th will be the first practice for the novice team in the Fall 2014 season. For all incoming rowers, meet at 5:00 pm on the turf field outside the Rec Center (North end of campus, right between the Comm Lawn and the Ridge, directly South of Wade King SRC). It is not too late to get started! If you missed the info meeting on Wednesday, feel free to show up and introduce yourself to the coaches and rowers. If there are any scheduling conflicts that prohibit attendance, please get in touch with the team at wwurowing@gmail.com.

If you are interested in becoming involved in WWU Men’s Crew, there will be an informational meeting held on Wednesday the 24th at 7 pm in the Academic Instructional Center West (AIC West) in room 204. This meeting is a non-committal opportunity to learn about the team, what the season will entail and what expectations there are for rowers and coxswains. Our returning squad, including team leadership and coaches, will be available to meet with and to answer any questions. Men’s Crew will also have a booth at the WWU info fair between the Wilson and Haggard halves of the library on September 22nd and 23rd.